Facsimile apparatus having means to sort received sheets into bins according to the number of received sheets

ABSTRACT

A facsimile apparatus includes a reception unit for receiving image data and a procedure signal, a detection unit for detecting a sub-address from the procedure signal received by the reception unit, a recording unit for recording the image data received by the reception unit, a sorter having a plurality of bins for sorting record sheets on which image data are recorded by the recording unit, and a control unit for controlling the sorter to sort the record sheets, on which the image data are recorded by the recording unit, in accordance with sub-addresses detected by the detection unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus and, moreparticularly, to a facsimile apparatus which can perform sub-addressspecified communications.

In addition, the present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus and,more particularly, to a facsimile apparatus with a sorter having aplurality of bins.

2. Related Background Art

No facsimile apparatus capable of performing sub-address specifiedcommunications has been proposed.

For this reason, although a sender can generate an outgoing call to apartner station to transmit data thereto, a specific addressee at thereceiver end cannot be specified.

Recently, various new G3 functions have been under discussion in CCITTSG8, and the discussion includes the standardization of sub-addressspecified communications. It seems that a recommendation of thisstandardization will be made before the end of the year.

In addition, with regard to a facsimile apparatus with a sorter having aplurality of bins, some consideration has been given to the bins of asorter, which is designed to sort data in units of communications, inorder to facilitate the distribution of received data.

In general, a sorter has about 10 or 20 bins. If the frequency ofoccurrence of reception is high, the sorter becomes full soon after asorting operation is started. Especially, a normal document oftenincludes about one to three record sheets. If, therefore, these sheetsare sorted in units of communications, it cannot be said that the sorteris effectively used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to improve a facsimileapparatus.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a facsimileapparatus which includes a sorter having a plurality of bins, and ameans for identifying the number of received sheets, can change bins towhich received data are outputted, in accordance with the number ofreceived sheets, and can output data of the same number of receivedsheets to the same bin.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide afacsimile apparatus which includes a means for identifying the number ofreceived sheets, can change some bins, of all the bins of a sorter, towhich received data are outputted, in accordance with the number ofreceived sheets, and can change the remaining bins to which receiveddata are outputted, for each communication end.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide afacsimile apparatus which includes a means for identifying the number ofreceived sheets, can change some bins, of all the bins of a sorter, towhich received data are outputted, in accordance with the number ofreceived sheets, and can change the remaining bins to which receiveddata are outputted, for each sender.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide afacsimile apparatus which includes a means for identifying the number ofreceived sheets, can change some bins, of all the bins of a sorter, towhich received data are outputted, in accordance with the number ofreceived sheets, and can change the remaining bins to which receiveddata are outputted, for each addressee.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapplication for a facsimile apparatus for performing sub-addressspecified communications.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide afacsimile apparatus capable of performing sub-address specifiedcommunications, which can change the positions of sorters to whichreceived data are outputted, in accordance with sub-addresses specifiedby senders.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is comprised of FIGS. 1A and 1B showing block diagrams of afacsimile apparatus according to the first to sixth embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a control sequence of a control circuit70 in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the control sequence of the controlcircuit 70 in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 4 is comprised of FIGS. 4A and 4B showing flow charts of thecontrol sequence of the control circuit 70 in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the control sequence of the controlcircuit 70 in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing another control sequence of the controlcircuit 70 in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the control sequence of the controlcircuit 70 in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the control sequence of the controlcircuit 70 in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 9 is comprised of FIGS. 9A and 9B showing block diagrams of afacsimile apparatus according to the seventh to twelfth embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing still another control sequence of acontrol circuit 134 in FIG. 9B;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the control sequence of the controlcircuit 134 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing still another control sequence of thecontrol circuit 134 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing still another control sequence of thecontrol circuit 134 in FIG. 10; and

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing still another control sequence of thecontrol circuit 134 in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(First Embodiment)

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail belowwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are block diagrams showing a facsimile apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an NCU (Network Control Unit) 2 connects atelephone network to terminals connected to the lines of the NCU 2 touse the telephone network for data communication and the like. That is,the NCU 2 performs connection control with respect to a telephoneswitched network, switches to a data communication path, and holds aloop. A signal line 2a is a telephone line. The NCU 2 receives a signalon a signal line 70a, and connects the telephone line to the telephoneset side, i.e., connects the signal line 2a to a signal line 2b, whenthe signal level is "0". When the signal level is "1", the NCU 2connects the telephone line to the facsimile apparatus side, i.e.,connects the signal line 2a to a signal line 2c. In a normal state, thetelephone line is connected to the telephone set side.

The apparatus includes a telephone set 4.

A hybrid circuit 6 serves to separate signals into signals for thetransmission system and signals for the reception system. Morespecifically, a transmission signal on a signal line 16a is sent to thetelephone line via the signal line 2c and the NCU 2. A signal sent froma partner station is outputted to a signal line 6a via the NCU 2 and thesignal line 2c.

A modulator 8 performs modulation on the basis of the known CCITTrecommendation v21. The modulator 8 receives a procedure signal on asignal line 70b, modulates it, and outputs the modulated data to asignal line 8a.

A reader 10 sequentially reads a one-line image signal from atransmission original in the main scanning direction, and forms a signalstring constituted by binary values representing "white" and "black".The reader 10 is constituted by an image pickup device, e.g., a CCD(charge-coupled device), and an optical system. The signal string asbinary values representing "white" and "black" is outputted to a signalline 10a.

An encoder 12 receives read data outputted to the signal line 10a, andoutputs coded (MH (modified Huffman) coding or MR (modified Read)coding) data to a signal line 12a.

A modulator 14 performs modulation on the basis of the known CCITTrecommendation v27ter (differential phase modulation) or CCITTrecommendation v29 (quadrature modulation). The modulator 14 receivesthe signal on the signal line 12a, modulates it, and outputs themodulated data to a signal line 14a.

An adder 16 receives the signals on the signal lines 8a and 14a, andoutputs the sum to the signal line 16a.

A demodulator 18 performs demodulation on the basis of the known CCITTrecommendation v21. The demodulator 18 receives the signal on the signalline 6a, demodulates it on the basis of the CCITT recommendation v21,and outputs the demodulated data to a signal line 18a.

A demodulator 20 performs demodulation on the basis of the known CCITTrecommendation v27ter (differential phase modulation) or CCITTrecommendation v29 (quadrature modulation). The demodulator 20 receivesthe signal on the signal line 6a, demodulates it, and outputs thedemodulated data to a signal line 20a.

A decoder 22 receives the signal outputted to the signal line 20a,decodes the signal (MH (modified Huffman) decoding or MR (modified Read)decoding), and outputs data representing the error state of the receivedimage to a signal line 22a. The decoder 22 determines the error state ofthe received image after a clear pulse is supplied to a signal line 70c.Upon determining that the reception state is good, the decoder 22outputs a "0"-level signal to the signal line 22a. Upon determining thatthe reception state is bad, the decoder 22 outputs a "1"-level signal tothe signal line 22a.

A memory circuit 24 stores the demodulated data outputted to the signalline 20a in accordance with control through a signal line 70d. Inaddition, the memory circuit 24 outputs the data stored therein to asignal line 24a in accordance with control through the signal line 70d.

A decoder 26 receives the signal outputted to the signal line 24a, andoutputs the decoded signal (MH (modified Huffman) decoding or MR(modified Read) decoding) to a signal line 26a.

A recorder 28 receives the data outputted to the signal line 26a andsequentially records the data line by line. In accordance with controlthrough a signal line 70e, the recorder 28 serves to bind recorded datawith a stapler or designate one of sorters 1 to 4 to which the recordeddata is to be outputted.

A sorter 1 (30) stores the recorded data when the recorded data is to beoutputted to the sorter 1 upon designation through the signal line 70e.

A sorter 2 (32) stores the recorded data when the recorded data is to beoutputted to the sorter 2 upon designation through the signal line 70e.

A sorter 3 (34) stores the recorded data when the recorded data is to beoutputted to the sorter 3 upon designation through the signal line 70e.

A sorter 4 (36) stores the recorded data when the recorded data is to beoutputted to the sorter 4 upon designation through the signal line 70e.

A stapler circuit 38 staples recorded data through a signal line 38awhen a bind pulse is supplied to a signal line 70f.

A sorter 1 stored sub-address display circuit 40 receives sub-addressdata outputted to a signal line 70g, and displays it as a sub-addressstored in the sorter 1.

A sorter 2 stored sub-address display circuit 42 receives sub-addressdata outputted to a signal line 70h, and displays it as a sub-addressstored in the sorter 2.

A sorter 3 stored sub-address display circuit 44 receives sub-addressdata outputted to a signal line 70i, and displays it as a sub-addressstored in the sorter 3.

A sorter 4 stored sub-address display circuit 46 receives sub-addressdata outputted to a signal line 70j, and displays it as a sub-addressstored in the sorter 4.

A memory-receive start time registration circuit (1st-time registrationcircuit) 48 serves to register the time at which a mode for storingreceived data in a memory is started. When the time at which the modefor storing received data in the memory is started is to be registeredin the circuit 48, a write pulse is supplied to a signal line 70k afterdata indicating a specific hour and minute (e.g., 22:00) is outputted toa signal line 48a. With this operation, the time is registered in thecircuit 48. When the time at which the mode for storing received data inthe memory is started is to be read out from the circuit 48, a readpulse is supplied to a signal line 701. With this operation, the dataindicating the time (e.g., 22:00), stored in the circuit 48, at whichthe mode for storing received data in the memory is started is outputtedto the signal line 48a.

A read-out time registration circuit (2nd-time registration circuit) 50serves to register the time at which a mode for outputting received datafrom the memory is set. When the time at which the mode for outputtingreceived data from the memory is set is to be registered in the circuit50, a write pulse is supplied to a signal line 70m after data indicatinga specific hour and minute (e.g., 8:00) is outputted to a signal line50a. With this operation, the time is registered in the circuit 50. Whenthe time at which the mode for outputting received data from the memoryis set is to be read out from the circuit 50, a read pulse is suppliedto a signal line 70n. With this operation, the data indicating the time(e.g., 8:00), stored in the circuit 50, at which the mode for outputtingreceived data from the memory is set is outputted to the signal line50a.

A console unit 52 includes one-touch abbreviation dials, a start key, a"*" key, a "#" key, and the like, and data obtained upon depression ofsuch a dial or key is outputted to a signal line 52a.

A communication number & sub-address registration circuit 54 serves toregister a communication number corresponding to received data stored inthe memory and its sub-address. When a communication number and asub-address are to be registered in the circuit 54, data is outputted toa signal line 54a according to the following format: a communicationnumber (e.g., 1222), a space, and a sub-address (e.g., 01). Thereafter,a write pulse is supplied to a signal line 70o. With this operation, thesub-address is registered in the circuit 54 in correspondence with thecommunication number. When no sub-address is specified, "**" isregistered at the position of a sub-address. When data registered in thecircuit 54 is to be cleared, data indicating a communication number(e.g., 1111), a space, and a clear signal (##) are outputted in theorder named, and a write pulse is supplied to the signal line 70o. Withthis operation, the contents of the specified communication number,registered in the circuit 54, are cleared. When data registered in thecircuit 54 is to be read out, a read pulse is supplied to a signal line50p after a communication number (e.g., 1222) is outputted to the signalline 54a. With this operation, the sub-address data (e.g., 01)registered in the circuit 54 in correspondence with the specifiedcommunication number (e.g., 1222) is outputted to the signal line 54a.

A 1st-time registration key 56 is used to register the time at which themode for storing received data in the memory is set. When the key 56 isdepressed, a depression pulse is supplied to a signal line 56a.

A 2nd-time registration key 58 is used to register the time at which themode for outputting received data from the memory is set. When the key58 is depressed, a depression pulse is supplied to a signal line 58a.

A ten-key pad 60 is used to register the time at which the mode forstoring received data in the memory is set or the time at which the modefor outputting received data from the memory is set, or is used tooutput a communication report designating a sub-address. Ten-key dataobtained upon depression of a key in the ten-key pad 60 is outputted toa signal line 60a.

A set key 62 is used to register the time at which the mode for storingreceived data in the memory is set or the time at which the mode foroutputting received data from the memory is set. When the set key 62 isdepressed, a depression pulse is supplied to a signal line 62a.

A report key 64 is used to output a communication management report.When the report key 64 is depressed, a depression pulse is supplied to asignal line 64a.

A sub-address specified communication report output key 66 is used tooutput a communication management report designating a sub-address. Whenthe key 66 is depressed, a depression pulse is supplied to a signal line66a.

A display unit 68 receives data outputted to a signal line 70q anddisplays the data.

When a sub-address is specified by a sender, a control circuit 70controls the position of a sorter, to which the sub-address is to beoutputted, in accordance with the received data. In an initializingoperation, when "1" is specified as a sub-address, received data isstored in the sorter 1. When "2" is specified as a sub-address, receiveddata is stored in the sorter 2. When "3" is designed as a sub-address,received data is stored in the sorter 3. When one of "4" to "255" isdesignated as a sub-address or no sub-address is specified, receiveddata is stored in the sorter 4. Thereafter, for example, the maximumsub-address of past 30 sub-address specified communications is obtained.When all the recorded data stored in the sorters 1 to 4 are removed, themaximum sub-address is divided by three to obtain the number ofsub-addresses of each of the sorters 1 to 3. Subsequent communicationsare performed in accordance with this number, and sub-address specifiedreceived data is outputted to a corresponding sorter. Sub-addressescorresponding to the sorters 1 to 4 are respectively displayed on thecircuits 40, 42, 44, and 46.

FIGS. 2 to 5 are flow charts showing a control sequence of the controlcircuit 70 in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

Referring to FIG. 2, step S80 indicates the start of the controlsequence.

In step S82, a "0"-level signal is outputted to the signal line 70a toturn off CML.

In step S84, "sub-address 1" is displayed, as a sub-address to be storedin the sorter 1, on the circuit 40 via the signal line 70g, and receiveddata specified as sub-address 1 is set to be outputted to the sorter 1(30).

In step S86, "sub-address 2" is displayed, as a sub-address to be storedin the sorter 2, on the circuit 42 via the signal line 70h, and receiveddata specified as sub-address 2 is set to be outputted to the sorter 2(32).

In step S88, "sub-address 3" is displayed, as a sub-address to be storedin the sorter 3, on the circuit 44 via the signal line 70i, and receiveddata specified as sub-address 3 is set to be outputted to the sorter 3(34).

In step S90, "sub-address 4 et seq." or "no sub-address" is displayed,as a sub-address to be stored in the sorter 4, on the circuit 46 via thesignal line 70j, and received data specified as sub-address 4 et seq. orno sub-address is set to be outputted to the sorter 4 (36).

In step S92, "0001" is stored as a communication number.

In step S94, the communication numbers and sub-addresses of past 30sub-address specified communications are stored.

In step S96, it is checked whether all the recorded data (record sheets)in the sorters 1 to 4 are removed. If YES in step S96, the flow advancesto step S98. If NO in step S96, the flow advances to step S110 (FIG.4A).

In step S98, it is checked whether at least one sub-address specifiedcommunication is performed. If YES in step S98, the flow advances tostep S100 (FIG. 3). If NO in step S98, the flow advances to step S110(FIG. 4A).

In step S100, the maximum sub-address of the past 30 sub-addressspecified communications is divided by three, and the quotient isassumed as a sub-address a which decimal points are raised.

In step S102, "sub-addresses 1 to a" as sub-addresses to be stored inthe sorter 1 is displayed on the circuit 40 via the signal line 70g, andreceived data specified as sub-addresses 1 to a is set to be outputtedto the sorter 1 (30).

In step S104, "sub-addresses (a+1) to 2a" as sub-addresses to be storedin the sorter 2 is displayed on the circuit 42 via the signal line 70h,and received data specified as sub-addresses (a+1) to 2a is set to beoutputted to the sorter 2 (32).

In step S106, "sub-addresses (2a+1) to 3a" as sub-addresses to be storedin the sorter 3 is displayed on the circuit 44 via the signal line 70i,and received data specified as sub-addresses (2a+1) to 3a is set to beoutputted to the sorter 3 (34).

In step S108, "sub-address (3a+1) et seq." or "no sub-address" as asub-address to be stored in the sorter 4 is displayed on the circuit 46via the signal line 70j, and received data specified as sub-address(3a+1) et seq. or no sub-address is set to be outputted to the sorter 4(36).

In step S110 (FIG. 4A), it is checked whether the receive mode isselected. If YES in step S110, the flow advances to step S114. If NO instep S110, the flow advances to step S112.

Step S112 indicates other processes. If the transmit mode is selected,the communication number is incremented by one.

In step S114, a "1"-level signal is outputted to the signal line 70a toturn on CML.

Step S116 indicates a pre-procedure. In this step, the 49th bit of FIFof a DIS signal is set to "1" to inform the sender that sub-addressspecified reception can be performed.

In step S118, it is checked whether a SUB signal is received. If YES instep S118, the flow advances to step S120. If NO in step S118, the flowadvances to step S132.

In steps S120, S122, and S124, it is checked whether the sub-address isset to be outputted to the sorter 1, the sorter 2, the sorter 3, or thesorter 4. If the sub-address is set to be outputted to the sorter 1, theflow advances step S126 to set output of the recorded data onto thesorter 1 by a signal from the signal line 70e. If the sub-address is setto be outputted to the sorter 2, the flow advances to step S128 to setoutput of the recorded data onto the sorter 2 by a signal from thesignal line 70e. If the sub-address is set to be outputted to the sorter3, the flow advances to step S130 to set output of the recorded dataonto the sorter 3 by a signal from the signal line 70e. If thesub-address is set to be outputted to the sorter 4, the flow advances tostep S132 to set output of the recorded data onto the sorter 4 by asignal from the signal line 70e.

Step S134 indicates receiving/recording of one page.

Step S136 indicates a mid-procedure.

In step S138, it is checked whether a SUB signal is received. IF YES instep S138, the flow advances to step S118. If NO in step S138, the flowadvances to step S140.

In step S140, it is checked whether the next page is present. If YES instep S140, the flow advances to step S134. If NO in step S140, the flowadvances to step S142.

Step S142 indicates a post-procedure.

In step S144, a "0"-level signal is outputted to the signal line 70a toturn off CML.

In step S146 (FIG. 5), a sub-address number, the abbreviation name of apartner station, a communication start time, a communication timeperiod, the number of sheets, a communication result, and the like arestored so as to correspond to a communication number.

In step S148, if the currently performed communication is a sub-addressspecified communication, the communication numbers and sub-addresses ofthe past 30 sub-address specified communications are stored.

In step S150, the communication number is incremented by one.

(Second Embodiment)

Considering a facsimile apparatus for memory-receiving data in the nightand outputting the received data in the morning before the office opens,data may be outputted in the order of sub-addresses. In this case,consider output of recorded data onto one stage without using a sorter.

In a facsimile apparatus capable of performing sub-address specifiedcommunications, the following times are registered: the first-time afterwhich all received data are stored in a memory; and the second-time atwhich output of received data stored in the memory is started and afterwhich all received data are immediately recorded. In this case,memory-received data are stored together with sub-addresses, and thedata stored in the memory are outputted in the order of thesub-addresses at the second-time.

FIGS. 6 to 8 are flow charts showing a control sequence of a controlcircuit 70 for realizing the second embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, step S160 indicates the start of the controlsequence.

In step S162, a "0"-level signal is outputted to a signal line 70a toturn off CML.

In step S164, "1" is set as a communication number.

In step S166, it is checked whether first-time registration is selected.If YES in step S166, the flow advances to step S168 to register thefirst-time in a memory-receive start time registration circuit (1st-timeregistration circuit) 48. If NO in step S166, the flow advances to stepS170.

In step S170, second-time registration is selected (to set thesecond-time at which data stored in the memory are outputted and afterwhich all received data are immediately recorded). If YES in step S170,the flow advances to step S172 to set the second-time in a read-out timeregistration circuit (2nd-time registration circuit) 50. If NO in stepS170, the flow advances to step S174.

In step S174, it is checked whether the receive mode is selected. If YESin step S174, the flow advances to step S180. If NO in step S174, theflow advances to step S176.

Step S176 indicates other processes. In this step, if the transmit modeis selected, the communication number is incremented by one.

In step S178, it is checked whether it is the time at which the datastored in the memory are outputted, i.e., whether it is the second-time.If YES in step S178, the flow advances to step S208 (FIG. 8). If NO instep S178, the flow advances to step S166.

In step S180, a "1"-level signal is outputted to the signal line 70a toturn on CML.

Step S182 indicate a pre-procedure. In this step, the 49th bit of FIF ofa DIS signal representing a sub-address specified reception function isset to "1".

In step S184, it is checked whether received data is to be stored in thememory, i.e., whether it is between the first-time registered in thecircuit 48 and the second-time registered in the circuit 50. If YES instep S184, the flow advances to step S186. If NO in step S184, the flowadvances to step S202 (FIG. 7).

In step S186, the received data is stored in a memory circuit 24 while asub-address corresponding to the communication number is stored.

Step S188 (FIG. 7) indicates a mid-procedure.

In step S190, it is checked whether a sub-address is specified again. IfYES in step S190, the flow advances to step S186 (FIG. 6). If NO in stepS190, the flow advances to step S192.

In step S192, it is checked whether the next page is present. If YES instep S192, the flow advances to step S186 (FIG. 6). If NO in step S192,the flow advances to step S194.

Step S194 indicates a post-procedure.

In step S196, a "0"-level signal is outputted to the signal line 70a toturn off CML.

In step S198, a sub-address number, the abbrev name of a partnerstation, a communication start time, a communication time period, thenumber of sheets, a communication result, and so on are stored so as tocorrespond to the communication number.

In step S200, the communication number is incremented by one.

Step S202 indicates a receiving/recording operation.

Step S204 indicates a mid-procedure.

In step S206, it is checked whether the next page is present. If YES instep S206, the flow advances to step S202. If NO in step S206, the flowadvances to step S194.

In step S208 (FIG. 8), a sub-address check flag for outputting receiveddata stored in the memory in the order of sub-addresses is set to "1".

In step S210, it is checked whether received data is stored in thememory circuit. If YES in step S210, the flow advances to step S212. IfNO in step S210, the flow advances to step S166.

In step S212, it is checked whether the data of the sub-addressindicated by the sub-address check flag is stored in the memory. If YESin step S212, the flow advances to step S214. If NO in step S212, theflow advances to step S216.

In step S214, the data of the sub-address indicated by the sub-addresscheck flag is outputted from the memory circuit and recorded.

In step S216, the sub-address check flag is incremented by one.

(Third Embodiment)

When data having the same sub-address are outputted from the memorycircuit in the second embodiment, the output data may be bound with astapler.

In this control sequence, after a recording operation in step S214 inFIG. 8 is completed, a control operation is additionally performed tobind data having the same sub-address with a stapler circuit 38.

(Fourth Embodiment)

A sub-address may be specified by using a sub-address specifiedcommunication report output key 66 or a ten-key pad, and a communicationmanagement report may be outputted by specifying a sub-address upondepression of a report key 64.

(Fifth Embodiment)

Communication reports may be classified and outputted in units ofsub-addresses.

(Sixth Embodiment)

In a combination of the first and second embodiments, when all recordeddata are removed from the sorters, the maximum sub-address in apredetermined number of times of past sub-address specified reception isdivided by the number of sorters used to obtain the number ofsub-addresses per sorter. Subsequent communications are performed inaccordance with the obtained number of sub-addresses, and sub-addressspecified received data is outputted to a corresponding sorter.Sub-addresses corresponding to the respective sorters are displayed onthe display unit. In addition, the first-time, after which all receiveddata are stored in the memory, and the second-time, at which output ofreceived data stored in the memory is started and after which allreceived data are immediately recorded, are registered. Memory-receiveddata are stored together with sub-addresses. At the second-time,received data stored in the memory are outputted to the respectivesorters in accordance with the sub-addresses. In this case, the data areoutputted onto each sorter in the order of the sub-addresses.

As described above, according to the present invention, in sub-addressspecified communications, the positions of sorters to which data areoutputted can be changed in accordance with sub-addresses, andsub-address numbers assigned to one sorter can be changed on the basisof the total number of sub-addresses of received data. In addition, themode for memory-receiving data in the night and outputting the data inthe morning may be selected, so that the data stored in the memory areoutputted in the order of sub-addresses. Furthermore, data can be boundwith a stapler or the like in units of sub-addresses. Moreover,communication reports can be grouped and outputted in accordance withsub-addresses, or may be outputted upon specifying sub-addresses.Therefore, a user can easily use the facsimile apparatus.

(Seventh Embodiment)

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail belowwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are block diagrams showing an embodiment of a facsimileapparatus to which the present invention is applied.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, an NCU (Network Control Unit) 102 connectsa telephone network to terminals connected to the lines of the NCU 102to use the telephone network for data communication and the like. Thatis, the NCU 102 performs connection control with respect to a telephoneswitched network, switches to a data communication path, and holds aloop. A signal line 102a is a telephone line. The NCU 102 receives asignal on a signal line 134a, and connects the telephone line to thetelephone set side (i.e., connects the signal line 102a to a signal line102b), when the signal level is "0".When the signal level is "1", theNCU 102 connects the telephone line to the facsimile apparatus side(i.e., connects the signal line 102a to a signal line 102c). In a normalstate, the telephone line is connected to the telephone set side.

The apparatus includes a telephone set 104.

A hybrid circuit 106 serves to separate signals into signals for thetransmission system and signals for the reception system. Morespecifically, a transmission signal on a signal line 116a is sent to thetelephone line via the signal line 102c and the NCU 102. A signal sentfrom a partner station is outputted to a signal line 106a via the NCU102 and the signal line 102c.

A reader 108 sequentially reads a one-line image signal from atransmission original in the main scanning direction, and forms a signalstring constituted by binary values representing "white" and "black".The reader 108 is constituted by an image pickup device, e.g., a CCD(charge-coupled device), and an optical system. The signal string asbinary values representing "white" and "black" is outputted to a signalline 108a.

An encoder 110 receives the binary data outputted to the signal line108a, and outputs coded (MH (modified Huffman) coding or MR (modifiedRead) coding) data to a signal line 110a.

A modulator 112 performs modulation on the basis of the known CCITTrecommendation v27ter (differential phase modulation) or CCITTrecommendation v29 (quadrature modulation). The modulator 112 receivesthe signal on the signal line 110a, modulates it, and outputs themodulated data to a signal line 112a.

A modulator 114 performs modulation on the basis of the known CCITTrecommendation v21. The modulator 114 receives a procedure signal on asignal line 134b, modulates it, and outputs the modulated data to asignal line 114a.

An adder 116 receives the signals on the signal lines 112a and 114a, andoutputs the sum to a signal line 116a.

A demodulator 118 performs demodulation on the basis of the known CCITTrecommendation v27ter (differential phase modulation) or CCITTrecommendation v29 (quadrature modulation). The demodulator 118 receivesthe signal on the signal line 106a, demodulates it, and outputs thedemodulated data to a signal line 118a.

A decoder/encoder 119 receives the demodulated data outputted to thesignal line 118a, decodes the data again, and outputs the decoded datato a signal line 119a. A control circuit 134 determines a receptionerror state on the basis of the decoded data. The decoder/encoder 119performs MR (modified Read) coding with k=8 with respect to the properlyreceived decoded data, and outputs the decoded data to a signal line119b.

A memory circuit 120 stores the coded data outputted to the signal line119b in accordance with control through a signal line 134d. In addition,the memory circuit 120 outputs the data stored therein to a signal line120a in accordance with control through the signal line 134d.

A decoder 121 receives the signal outputted to the signal line 119a, andoutputs the decoded signal (MR (modified Read) decoding) to a signalline 121a.

A recorder 122 receives the data outputted to the signal line 120a andsequentially records signals representing "white" and "black" in unitsof lines.

A demodulator 124 performs demodulation on the basis of the known CCITTrecommendation v21. The demodulator 124 receives the signal on thesignal line 106a, demodulates it on the basis of the CCITTrecommendation v21, and outputs the demodulated data to a signal line124a.

A sorter 126 serves to sort received recorded images in accordance withthe number of received recorded sheets, in units of communications, inaccordance with the telephone number of each sender or designation ofaddressees, or by a combination of these assortment modes. Assume thatthe sorter 126 has 10 bins. The sorter 126 receives a signal outputtedto a signal line 134c, and stores a received recorded image in aspecific bin of the sorter which is specified by a signal from thesignal line 134c.

When one of alphabetic keys "A" to "Z" of a console unit 128 isdepressed, a signal representing the corresponding letter is outputtedto a signal line 128a. When one of numeric keys "0" to "9", a "*" key,or a "#" key is depressed, a signal representing the correspondingnumeral or symbol is outputted to a signal line 128b. When a start keyis depressed, a corresponding signal is outputted to a signal line 128c.

An assortment mode memory circuit 129 stores data indicating assortmentmodes with respect to the bins of the sorter 126. The modes include thefollowing: a mode of assortment based on the number of received sheets,a mode of performing assortment for each communication, a mode ofassortment based on each partner station at the sender end, and a modeof assortment based on each assigned addressee at the receiver end. Thememory circuit 129 stores data indicating assortment based on therespective modes in correspondence with the bins of the sorter 126. Whenmode data is to be stored in the circuit 129, data is outputted to asignal line 129a according to the following format: the ordinal (from"01" to "10"; for example, "01") of a bin of the sorter 126, a space,and a mode ("0" for the mode of assortment based on the number ofreceived sheets, "1" for the mode of performing assortment for eachcommunication, "2" for the mode of assortment based on each partnerstation at the sender end, and "3" for the mode of assortment based oneach assigned addressee at the receiver end; for example, "0"). Afterthe data is outputted, a write pulse is supplied to a signal line 134e.When mode data is to be read out from the circuit 129, data indicatingthe ordinal (e.g., "01") of a bin of the sorter 126 is outputted firstto the signal line 129a, and a read pulse is then supplied to a signalline 134f. With this operation, an assortment mode (e.g., "0")registered in correspondence with the specified ordinal of the bin ofthe sorter 126 is outputted to the signal line 129a.

When the mode of assortment based on the number of received sheets isregistered in the circuit 129 as an assortment mode for each bin of thesorter 126, the number of sheets registered in correspondence with theordinal of each bin becomes effective. In a bin assignednumber-of-sheets memory circuit 130, the number of sheets is registeredin correspondence with each bin of the sorter 126. When the number ofreceived sheets to be stored in each bin of the sorter 126 is to beregistered in the circuit 130, data is outputted to a signal line 130aaccording to the following format: the ordinal (from "01" to "10"; forexample, "01") of the bin of the sorter 126, a space, and the number ofreceived sheets (e.g., "1") to be stored in the bin. After this data isoutputted, a write pulse is supplied to a signal line 134g. When data isto be read out from the circuit 130, data indicating the ordinal (e.g.,"01") of the bin of the sorter 126 is outputted first to the signal line130a, and a read pulse is then supplied to a signal line 134h. With thisoperation, the number of received sheets (e.g., "1") registered incorrespondence with the specified ordinal of the bin of the sorter 126is outputted to the signal line 130a.

When the mode of assortment based on each partner station at the senderend is registered in the circuit 129 as an assortment method for eachbin of the sorter 126, the telephone number of each sender which isregistered in correspondence with the ordinal of each bin of the sorter126 becomes effective. A bin assigned sender telephone number memorycircuit 131 stores the telephone number of each sender to store arecorded image in the nth (n is a positive integer) bin of the sorter126. Assume that the telephone number of a sender, recorded images ofwhich are stored in the first bin, is 03-123-1111, and the telephonenumbers of senders, recorded images of which are stored in the mth bin,are 03-123-2222 and 03-123-3333. When these telephone numbers are to bestored in the bin assigned sender telephone number memory circuit 131,data indicating "1 * 03-123-1111" is outputted first to a signal line131a, and a write pulse is supplied to a signal line 134i. Similarly,data indicating "m * 03-123-2222 * 03-123-3333" is outputted first tothe signal line 131a, and a write pulse is then supplied to the signalline 134i. When a telephone number is to be read out from the binassigned sender telephone number memory circuit 131, data indicating theordinal (e.g., "1") of a bin of the sorter 126 is outputted first to thesignal line 131a, and a read pulse is then supplied to a signal line134j. With this operation, the telephone number (e.g., 03-123-1111) of asender is outputted to the signal line 131a to store a recorded image ina given bin (e.g., the first bin).

When the mode of assortment based on each assigned addressee isregistered in the circuit 129 as an assortment mode for each bin of thesorter 126, the addressee registered in correspondence with the ordinalof each bin of the sorter 126 becomes effective. In a bin assignedaddress registration circuit 132, addressee data whose record sheets arestored are registered in correspondence with the respective bins of thesorter 126. When addressee data is to be registered in the circuit 132in correspondence with each bin of the sorter 126, data is outputted toa signal line 132a according to the following format: data indicatingthe ordinal (from "01" to "10"; for example, "04") of a bin of thesorter 126, a space, and data indicating the assigned addressee (from,e.g., "001" to "010"; for example, "001" in this case) whose recordsheets are stored in the specified bin. After this data is outputted, awrite pulse is supplied to a signal line 134k. When addressee data is tobe read out from the circuit 132, data indicating the ordinal (e.g.,"04") of a bin of the sorter 126 is outputted first to the signal line134a, and a read pulse is then supplied to a signal line 134l. With thisoperation, the addressee data (e.g., "001") registered in correspondencewith the specified ordinal of the bin of the sorter 126 is outputted tothe signal line 132a.

The control circuit 134 performs the following control.

First of all, the control circuit 134 registers an assortment mode inthe circuit 129 in correspondence with the ordinal of each bin of thesorter 126. With regard to the ordinal of a bin of the sorter 126 forwhich the mode of assortment based on the number of received sheets isregistered, the control circuit 134 registers the number of sheets inthe circuit 130. With regard to the ordinal of a bin of the sorter 126for which the mode of assortment based on the telephone number of eachsender is registered, the control circuit 134 registers the telephonenumber of the corresponding sender in the circuit 131. With regard tothe ordinal of a bin of the sorter 126 for which the mode of assortmentbased on each assigned addressee on the receiver end is registered, thecontrol circuit 134 registers a number indicating the assigned addresseeat the receiver end in the circuit 132. Assume that in this embodiment,assortment is performed on the basis of the number of received sheets.As to the first bin of the sorter 126, data indicating "1" is stored asthe number of received sheets. As to the second to ninth bins of thesorter 126, data indicating the numbers of received sheets equivalent tothe ordinals of the respective bins are stored. As to the tenth bin ofthe sorter 126, data indicating "10" or more is stored as the number ofreceived sheets. With this operation, as to the data stored in the firstbin, an operator only needs to check addressees for each page becauseall the received data are stored in units of pages. As to the datastored in the second bin, the operator only needs to check addresseesfor every two pages because all the received data are stored in units oftwo pages. This applies to the second to ninth bins. Therefore, theoperator can easily check addressees. As to the tenth bin, received dataare stored in the same manner as the conventional method. However, since10 or more record sheets are not received often, there is little adverseeffect.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are flow charts showing a control sequence of thecontrol circuit 134 in FIG. 9B.

Referring to FIG. 10, step S1040 indicates the start of the controlsequence.

In step S1042, the mode of assortment based on the number of receivedsheets is registered in the assortment mode memory circuit 129 as to allthe bins of the sorter 126.

In step S1044, the control circuit 134 stores, in the bin assignednumber-of-sheets memory circuit 130, data indicating the numbers ofreceived sheets equivalent to the ordinals of bins in correspondencewith the first to ninth bins of the sorter 126, and data indicating "10"or more as the number of received sheets as to the tenth bin.

In step S1046, a "0"-level signal is outputted to the signal line 134ato turn off CML.

In step S1048, it is checked whether the receive mode is selected. IfYES in step S1048, the flow advances to step S1052. If NO in step S1048,the flow advances to step S1050 to perform other processes.

In step S1052, a "1"-level signal is outputted to the signal line 134ato turn on CML.

Step S1053 indicates a pre-procedure.

In step S1054, "1" is set in a page counter for counting the number ofreceived sheets.

In step S1056, received data is stored in the memory circuit 120 via thesignal line 134d.

In step S1058, it is checked whether reception of one page is completed.If YES in step S1058, the flow advances step S1060. If NO in step S1058,the flow advances to step S1056.

Step S1060 indicates a mid-procedure.

In step S1062, it is checked whether the next page is present. If YES instep S1062, the flow advances to step S1064. If NO in step S1062, theflow advances to step S1066.

In step S1064, the page counter is incremented by one.

Step S1068 indicates a post-procedure.

In step S1068, a "0"-level signal is outputted to the signal line 134ato turn off CML.

In step S1070 (FIG. 11), it is checked whether the count value of thepage counter is equal to or smaller than "9", i.e., whether the numberof received sheets is equal to or smaller than "9". If YES in stepS1070, the flow advances to step S1072. If NO in step S1070, the flowadvances to step S1074.

In step S1072, the control circuit 134 instructs, via the signal line134c, to record and store the received data in a bin whose ordinal isequal to the number of received sheets.

In step S1074, the control circuit 134 instructs, via the signal line134c, to record and store the received data in the tenth bin.

In step S1076, the control circuit 134 records and outputs the receiveddata to the specified bin via the signal line 134d.

In step S1078, it is checked whether recording of all pages iscompleted. If YES in step S1078, the flow advances to step S1048. If NOin step S1078, the flow advances to step S1076.

(Eighth Embodiment)

A facsimile apparatus may include a means for identifying the number ofreceived sheets. In this arrangement, received data may be outputted onthe basis of the mode of assortment based on the number of receivedsheets, identified by this means, as to several specific bins of asorter, while as to the remaining bins, received data may be outputtedon the basis of the mode of performing assortment for eachcommunication. For example, the mode of assortment based on the numberof received sheets may be sorted as to the first to third bins, with "1"to "3" being respectively set as the numbers of received sheets, whilereceived data of four or more sheets may be cyclically outputted to thefourth to tenth bins.

FIG. 12 shows only portions, of a control sequence for the aboveoperation, which are different from the corresponding portions in thecontrol sequence shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

Referring to FIG. 12, step S1080 indicates the start of the controlsequence

In step S1082, in an assortment mode memory circuit 129, the mode ofassortment based on the number of received sheets is registered as thefirst to third bins of the sorter, and the mode of performing assortmentfor each communication is registered as to the fourth to tenth bins ofthe sorter.

In step S1084, "4" is stored in a sorter output as a flag for specifyinga bin of the sorter to which a record sheet having a received imagerecorded thereon is to be outputted.

Steps S1086 and S1088 correspond to steps S1044 and S1068 in FIG. 10,respectively.

In step S1090, it is checked whether the count value of a page counteris equal to or smaller than "3". If YES in step S1090, the flow advancesto step S1092. If NO in step S1090, the flow advances to step S1094.

Step S1092 corresponds to step S1072 in FIG. 11.

In step S1094, a control circuit 134 instructs, via a signal line 134c,to discharge the record sheet onto a bin specified by the sorter outputflag.

In step S1096, it is checked whether the sorter output flag is "10". IfYES in step S1096, the flow advances to step S1098. If "4" is stored inthe sorter output flag, and the sorter output flag is not 10, the flowadvances to step S1100 to increment the sorter output flag by one.

Step S1102 corresponds to step S1076 in FIG. 11.

(Ninth Embodiment)

A facsimile apparatus may include a means for identifying the number ofreceived sheets. In this arrangement, received data may be outputted onthe basis of the mode of assortment based on the number of receivedsheets, identified by this means, as to several specific bins of asorter, while as to the remaining bins, received data may be outputtedon the basis of the mode of assortment based on data of each sender. Forexample, the mode of assortment based on the number of received sheetsmay be sorted as to the first to third bins, with "1" to "3" beingrespectively set as the numbers of received sheets, while received dataof four or more sheets may be sorted on the basis of the telephonenumbers of the senders. Assume that received data from a sender of atelephone number A is stored in the fourth bin of the sorter, andreceived data from senders of telephone numbers B, C, D, E, and F arerespectively stored in the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth binsof the sorter, while received data from senders of other telephonenumbers or no specified telephone numbers are stored in the tenth bin ofthe sorter.

FIG. 13 shows only portions, of a control sequence for the aboveoperation, which are different from the corresponding portions in thecontrol sequence shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

Referring to FIG. 13, step S1110 indicates the start of the controlsequence.

In step S1112, in an assortment mode memory circuit 129, the mode ofassortment based on the number of received sheets is registered as thefirst to third bins of the sorter, and the mode of assortment based onthe telephone numbers of senders is registered as to the fourth to tenthbins of the sorter.

In step S1114, telephone numbers are registered in a bin assigned sendertelephone number memory circuit 131 such that when four or more recordedsheets are received, received data from the senders of the telephonenumbers A to F are respectively stored in the fourth to ninth bins ofthe sorter, and received data from other senders are stored in the tenthbin.

Step S1116 corresponds to step S1146 in FIG. 11.

Although not shown, in this embodiment, the telephone numbers of thesenders are stored in a step corresponding to the pre-procedure in stepS1053 in FIG. 10.

Step S1118 corresponds to step S1068 in FIG. 10.

In step S1120, it is checked whether the count value of a page count isequal to or smaller than "3". If YES in step S1120, the flow advances tostep S1122. If NO in step S1120, the flow advances to step S1124.

Step S1122 corresponds to step S1072 in FIG. 11.

In step S1124, a control circuit 134 instructs, via a signal line 134c,to store received data from the senders of the telephone numbers A to Fin the fourth to ninth bins of the sorter, respectively, and receiveddata from senders of other telephone numbers or no specified telephonenumbers are stored in the tenth bin of the sorter.

Step S1126 corresponds to step S1076 in FIG. 11.

(Tenth Embodiment)

In the ninth embodiment, three or less received record sheets are storedin the first to third bins of the sorter. That is, a priority is givento the number of received sheets over the telephone numbers of senders.However, if three or less record sheets are received from senders ofregistered telephone numbers (the telephone numbers A to F in the ninthembodiment), the sheets may be outputted to the specified bins.

(Eleventh Embodiment)

A facsimile apparatus may include a means for identifying the number ofreceived sheets. In this arrangement, received data may be outputted onthe basis of the mode of assortment based on the number of receivedsheets, identified by this means, as to several specific bins of asorter, while as to some of the remaining bins, received data may beoutputted on the basis of the mode of assortment based on data of eachaddressee. For example, the mode of assortment based on the number ofreceived sheets may be sorted as to the first to third bins, with "1" to"3" being respectively set as the numbers of received sheets, whilereceived data of four or more sheets may be sorted on the basis of thedata of each addressee at the receiver end. For example, received dataof addressees indicated by "001" to "006" are respectively stored in theforth to ninth bins of the sorter, and received data of other addressees(addressees other than the addressees indicated by "001" to "006" oraddressees with no specified data) are stored in the tenth bin.

FIG. 14 shows only portions, of a control sequence for the aboveoperation, which are different from the corresponding portions in thecontrol sequence shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

Referring to FIG. 14, step S1130 indicates the start of the controlsequence.

In step S1132, in a assortment mode memory circuit 129, the mode ofassortment based on the number of received sheets is registered as thefirst to third bins of the sorter, and the mode of assortment based onaddressees at the receiver end is registered as to the fourth to tenthbins of the sorter.

In step S1134, data of each addressee is registered in a bin assignedaddress registration circuit 132 such that when four or more sheets arereceived, received data of the addressees indicated by "001" to "006"are respectively stored in the fourth to ninth bins, and received dataof other addressees or no specified data are stored in the tenth bin.

Step S1136 corresponds to step S1146 in FIG. 10.

Although not shown, in this embodiment, the data of addressees at thereceiver end, which are informed by senders, are stored in a stepcorresponding to the pre-procedure in step S1053 in FIG. 10.

Step S1138 corresponds to step S1068 in FIG. 10.

In step S1140, it is checked whether the count value of a page counteris equal to or smaller than "3". If YES in step S1140, the flow advancesto step S1142. If NO in step S1140, the flow advances to step S1144.

Step S1142 corresponds to step S1072 in FIG. 11.

In step S1144, a control circuit 134 instructs, via a signal line 134c,to store received data of the addressees indicated by "001" to "006" inthe fourth to ninth bins of the sorter, respectively, and received dataof other addressees are stored in the tenth bin of the sorter.

(Twelfth Embodiment)

In the tenth embodiment, similar to the ninth embodiment, the firstpriority is given to the mode of assortment based on the number ofreceived sheets when three or less sheets are received, and the secondpriority is given to the mode of assortment based on the data of eachaddressee at the receiver end. However, the first priority may be givento the latter mode.

(Thirteenth Embodiment)

In the above embodiments, all the assortment modes using the sorter orsorters are registered from the beginning. However, registration ofthese modes, i.e., registration in the assortment mode memory circuit129, may be made to be open to a user to allow him/her to register themodes.

As has been described above, according to the present invention, whenreceived data of different numbers of pages are to be distributed, anoperator need not perform a cumbersome operation of checking thereceived data page by page. Since received data are stored in each binof a sorter in accordance with the number of received sheetspredetermined for each bin, the operator can recognize the end of eachcommunication for every predetermined number of received sheets, therebyfacilitating distribution of received data.

What is claimed is:
 1. A facsimile apparatus including a sorter with aplurality of bins, comprising:means for identifying the number ofreceived sheets; means for designating bins for each set of receivedsheets of each communication of a plurality of communications, inadvance; and control means for causing said sorter to control which binsreceived sheets are output to, in accordance with a designation by saiddesignating means, such that sets having the same number of receivedsheets are output to the same bin designated to receive sets having thatnumber of received sheets.
 2. A facsimile apparatus including a sorterwith a plurality of bins, comprising:means for identifying the number ofreceived sheets without reception of information on the number ofreceived sheets from a partner station; and control means forcontrolling said sorter to assign which bins received sheets are outputto, in accordance with the number of received sheets for each set ofreceived sheets of each communication of a plurality of communications,such that sets having the same number of received sheets are output tothe same bin assigned to receive sets having that number of receivedsheets.
 3. A facsimile apparatus including a sorter with a plurality ofbins, comprising:means for identifying the total number of receivedsheets of one communication of a plurality of communications; andcontrol means for controlling said sorter to assign which bins receivedsheets are output to, in accordance with the total number of receivedsheets of each communication and with address data of eachcommunication, such that communications having the same total number ofreceived sheets are output to the same bin assigned to receivecommunications having that total number of received sheets andcommunications having different total numbers of received sheets areoutput to bins assigned according to their address data.
 4. A facsimileapparatus including a sorter with a plurality of bins, comprising:meansfor identifying the total number of received sheets of one communicationof a plurality of communications; and control means for controlling saidsorter to change bins to which received sheets are output, in accordancewith the total number of received sheets of the one communication,wherein said control means controls said sorter to change the bin towhich received sheets are output, according to whether the total numberof received sheets is one or not, so that received sheets of at leasttwo communications of the plurality of communications having the sametotal number of received sheets are output to the same bin, and receivedsheets of communications having different total numbers of receivedsheets are output to different bins, respectively.
 5. A facsimilesorting method for a plurality of bins comprising the stepsof:identifying a number of received sheets; designating output bins foreach set of received sheets of each communication of a plurality ofcommunications, in advance; and controlling sorting to change bins towhich received sheets are output to in accordance with a designation bysaid designation means, such that sets having the same number ofreceived sheets are output to the same bin designated to receive setshaving that number of received sheets.
 6. A facsimile sorting method fora plurality of bins, comprising the steps of:identifying a number ofreceived sheets without reception of information on a number of receivedsheets from a partner station; and controlling the sorting to assignbins which bins received sheets are output to, in accordance with thenumber of received sheets for each set of received sheets of eachcommunication of a plurality of communications, such that sets havingthe same number of received sheets are output to the same bin assignedto receive sets having that number of received sheets.
 7. A facsimilesorting method for a plurality of bins, comprising the stepsof:identifying a total number of received sheets of one communication ofa plurality of communications; and controlling the sorting to assignwhich bins received sheets are output to in accordance with the totalnumber of received sheets of each communication and with address data ofeach communication, such that communications having the same totalnumber of received sheet are output to the same bin assigned to receivecommunications having that total number of received sheets andcommunications having different total numbers of received sheets areoutput to bins assigned according to their address data.
 8. A facsimilesorting method for a plurality of bins, comprising the stepsof:identifying the total number of received sheets of one communicationof a plurality of communications; and controlling the sorting to changebins to which received sheets are output in accordance with the totalnumber of received sheets of the one communication, wherein the sortingis controlled to change the bin to which received sheet are outputaccording to whether the total number of received sheets is one or not,so that received sheets of at least two communications of the pluralityof communications having the same total number of received sheets areoutput to the same bin, and received sheets of communications havingdifferent total numbers of received sheets are output to different bins,respectively.